Human Trafficking

The mission of the Human Trafficking Unit is to identify and recover victims of human trafficking leading to the prosecution of human traffickers and to promote public awareness of human trafficking within Fort Worth.

History

After several female Honduran human trafficking victims were recovered from Fort Worth’s north side bars in 2002, and after that, the recovery of 79 undocumented aliens from within a tractor trailer in 2004, FWPD felt the need to address the problem of human trafficking within its community.

In the summer of 2005, 31 area law enforcement agencies (LEA’s) including Fort Worth and social service providers (NGO’s) formed the North Texas Anti-Trafficking Taskforce (NTATT) to develop working relationships leading to the increase of victim-centered recovery and restoration of human trafficking victims.

In December 2006, FWPD was awarded a three-year federal grant by the United States’ Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop a Human Trafficking Unit. This grant expired; however, the unit continued to exist within the Support Bureau, composed of just one detective.

On January 1, 2016, the Tarrant County 5 Stones Taskforce was created. This taskforce is an extension of the Fort Worth Police Department that responds to domestic sex trafficking and is led by a civilian Program Coordinator.

After being housed under Major Case for three years, in October 2019, the detail became an official unit with a sergeant, two detectives, two officers, and one civilian.  The Unit investigates possible human trafficking operations, recovers potential victims and promotes public awareness of human trafficking. Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations agents work in collaboration with the Unit.